The story of Zelph found its way into
Church History through sources associated with, but not directly from Joseph
Smith. At least I haven't found in any of Joseph Smith's personal
journals related to this topic. As far as I'm concerned, there is no way
to say for certain exactly what Joseph Smith said during this particular event.

Then again, Joseph Smith may have told this story just to get your
goat...

Have to laugh at some of the comments. Sounds like the rumor game. If true
nowhere I see does it say BOM Lamanite. Were any of us there in 1834 to really
comment on this? I grew up with Native Americans who were often called
Lamanites in the church. So it could be anything. Did he give a date? Gad I do
not believe all the things I hear about certain people or myself.

Believe or not here are a few other things that we could also debate. (and I
could name hundreds from around the world)

1) Jonas and the Whale2) Moses and the plagues, parting the Red Sea, millions fleeing for 40
years3) Noah and the Ark4) My favorite is my Great grandmother
dating back 2 trillion generation was a fish. Darwin my hero. Have to throw in
the Big Bag theory here too. Makes the power ball odds almost 100%

If
you base your opinion of Joseph Smith on things such as this story (true or not)
then your belief is either weak or not there. I found this interesting not faith
shaking.

Joseph Smith's story of Zelph is recorded
in the diaries of SIX members of Zion's Camp: George A. Smith, Levi
Hancock, Reuben McBride, Heber C. Kimball, Moses Martin, and Wilford Woodruff.
Therefore, what is recorded in History of the Church, Vol.2 is exactly what
Joseph Smith said, being corroborated by many witnesses.

I believe that Joseph Smith was correct. If you research what is called the
Hopewell nation they were a huge civilization that existed on the North American
Continent covering thousands of cities during the same period as the Book of
Mormon Nephite and Lamanite peoples. You can research more on Hopewell people on
line and verify the data collected from carbon dating.I would also
recommend further research on firmlds.org